Lauren Valdes, a Teen Who's Making a Difference
June 29, 2012 I was asked to share an inspiring story of a teenager making a difference in her community. Without any hesitation, I chose Lauren Valdes.
When she was 14 years old, Lauren was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare type of bone cancer. After consulting several surgeons and hospitals across the country, she eventually made the brave decision to amputate part of her right leg.
Throughout her 18-month journey, Lauren's immense strength, indomitable spirit and sheer determination helped her recover from her ordeal. Despite undergoing intense medical treatments and four surgeries, she was home schooled through a local public school and managed to teach herself Spanish.
Her hard work paid off and she even mainted a B+/A- average, which is no easy feat for anyone battling cancer. She learned to walk with a prosthetic leg and played in her high school varsity soccer team. She refused to let her disease affect the way she led her life.
Lauren was so profoundly touched by her challenging experience that she started fundraising on behalf of Children's Hospital Los Angeles. She also participated in the The Rally For Kids with Cancer. Today she has raised over $100,000 for the hospital and other cancer research organizations.
"I am lucky. The experience I have gone through has given me the opportunity to make a difference in other kids lives," Lauren explained. "Knowing that through my efforts I am potentially helping the kids I once roomed next to makes me genuinely happy."
With her disease in remission, she continues to lead an active life and is a spokesperson for Children's Hospital. She will also begin her studies at Loyola Marymount University next year and plans to major in Communcation Studies. With her talent in public speaking, she hopes to foster a career as a motivational speaker.
Inspired by Lauren's courageous story? You, too, can do something for the world community at large.
Now you can help make a difference by just one click. For every Wave for Change® video view at Neutrogena.com/waveforchange or Facebook.com/Neutrogena, Neutrogena® will donate $1 to GlobalGiving to support U.S. educational charities. Watch. Donate. Share.
Any Neutrogena® Wave for Change® video views on Neutrogena.com/waveforchange and on the Neutrogena® page on Facebook during 7/1/12-8/31/12 will activate a $1 donation to GlobalGiving. Neutrogena® will kick-off Wave for Change® with $100K donation. Then, for each eligible video view, Neutrogena® will donate a maximum of $130K. For more information about GlobalGiving, visit GlobalGiving.org.
Image credit: Lauren Valdes
Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Neutrogena® via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Neutrogena®
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